A recent article (I use that term loosely) by Eamon Delaney in the Irish Independent newspaper entitled ‘Loud and proud gays want to take over rest of society‘ (Sunday, October 30, 2011) ruffled the feathers of many readers, not just from the LGBT community.
I read the article, and it was probably one of the worst-written articles I’ve come across in a long time. It wasn’t consistent and had no concrete argument, other than ‘the gays’ wanted to have their cake and eat it too.
Delaney revealed the ugly side to the so-called gay community, and the community were not pleased;
Many gays want to have it both ways. Thus gay magazines are full of ads endorsing late-night gyms, sex lines and a freewheeling sexual activity which would be dismissed as sleazy in heterosexual culture. But we also have articles that suggest a yearning for bourgeois respectability.
At first glance, I could only think that Delaney was entirely right. But then I thought for a moment; yes, there are ads for sex lines in various gay magazines, but what about the sex lines in tabloids and so-called ‘lads mags’? Were they somehow cleaner and holier because they featured attractive topless women? No, but because they’re so much more common to the average straight man (and woman) they’re not as much of a shock as when your typical Joe Hetero sees the back pages in a gay mag. Gay saunas are sleazy, but so are the countless dogging/cottaging areas dotted around Ireland, the UK and similar countries. In other words, there is a sordid and sleazy side to Western society, regardless of sexuality.
At the same time, I can’t help but wonder at how many people truly feel that ‘the gays’ are still victimised. I see the same people screaming ‘homophobia’ at the slightest criticism of the gay community – a term which I have issues with myself – and rarely anyone new. It’s as if there are a few characters on the Irish gay scene – who mainly work in media and the arts – who regard themselves righteous champions of the pink people. Go against them, and you’re regarded as a traitor of sorts, branded with suffering from ‘internalised homophobia’. Again, the word is used as a weapon of sorts, losing its defensive power with each use.
I wasn’t the only person to feel ill at ease with the snarling reaction from the somewhat well-known, clique-ish members of the gay community. Nigel Dugdale wrote an excellant piece, reacting to both Delaney and those he offended, while adding his own experience. It made me see that those attempting to defend the apparently-innocent community were not entirely in the right. Then again, it is hard to see the logic to such a poorly-written piece.
Nonetheless, what Delaney has done is opened the floodgates to examining gay life in Ireland. In some ways, it has never been better. In others, it is truly rotten. Either way, it’s very likely that the debate on the health of the gay community in Ireland (and the UK) has only begun.
I think this blog is a truly accurate portrayal of the current state of things in Ireland today. I find it disgraceful that Eamonn Delaney only identifies the ‘sleazy’ side of gay life / culture whilst ignoring the fact that sleazy heterosexual websites, sex clubs etc exist on a much larger, more national scale. It really is quite biased and prejudiced and it’s obvious from the outset that Delaney is embarking on a slur campaign against the ‘gay community’. It’s writing at it’s very worst and considering that Delaney views himself as such a profound and distinguished voice, he would do well to consult and incorporate all sources of evidence when writing an article.
There are sleazy no-strings attached heterosexual sex clubs all over Ireland in both urban and rural areas. I have heard of one in particular where there is over 40 members, most of whom are married. Is this moral and wholesome? I don’t really think so. Yet I wonder why Eamonn Delaney hasn’t brought this kind of information to the fore, especially when it’s so widespread and so talked about.
As you’ve said, there is ‘a sordid and sleazy side to Western society, regardless of sexuality’. The point is that is really is quite pathetic of Delaney to focus solely on homosexuals with such an article. It doesn’t necessarily victimize them. It’s somewhat of a slur, however. When speaking of a large group, he forgets the individual names, faces and personalities of those within that community, who he may find are widely diverse.
There are positive and negative aspects to everything and when confronting such a large issue it’s just as important to scrutinize the bad as it is to praise the good. However, Delaney didn’t do this. I don’t think he was overly homophobic but he certainly shows great ignorance and bias.
You brought up a great point about well known representatives of the gay community. I think that many who are not fully in the know about gay culture and life look to these individuals as well as inaccurate or narrow stereotypes to describe and critique it. What this tells me personally is that we must re-examine what the ‘gay community’ really is, who represents it and what it constitutes of.
There is no blueprint. As in any other nation or culture, individuality exists. It is this that Delaney has unfortunately, and most obviously, chosen to ignore.